Strongmen won’t be allowed to influence entry tests: Ghani

KABUL (Pajhwok): President Ashraf Ghani has allocated 150 million afghanis for the implementation of new development programs in northern Balkh province, saying strongman will not be allowed to interfere in entry tests and other education affairs.

Ghani expressed the views during his meeting with teachers and other people in Mazar-i-Sharif during his trip to Balkh, a statement from the Presidential Palace said on Saturday.

Teachers presented their views and suggestions about improving the education process and academic research in Balkh at a meeting with the president, the statement added.

The education system in schools had been changed, the president said, stressing the need for improving the quality of education.

He announced the next 10 years would be the Decade of Education and the budget for reconstruction of 6,000 schools had been prepared. The process would be completed in the next two years.

Ghani made clear that strongmen would not be allowed to interfere in the entry test for admissions to universities and higher education institutes.

The education system would be reformed, he vowed, saying two women deputy ministers of education would also be appointed.

“Reforms in education are important to us and that is the reason teachers are employed on merit,” the president was quoted as saying.

Ghani ordered the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) to draw up a clear plan for building a township for teachers. He also directed the Balkh governor to spend the allocated budget on repairing schools.

The president, stressing the importance of playgrounds, directed the Ministry of Education to work in coordination with the Physical Training Department on such facilities.

He allocated 150 million afghanis for Balkh, asking the governor to spend the amount transparently on basic projects in consultation with the relevant organs.

Balkh provincial council members also met the president and discussed helping the drought and floods-affected people. They called for focus on unstable districts, constructing the central jail building and stopping the erosion of Amo River banks.

Ghani asked the provincial council to provide him a list of the affected people so that the government assisted them.

“Security in Balkh is the government’s priority and military operations are currently underway in unstable areas of the province,” Ghani said.

About the provincial central jail’s building, he said the cost of the construction had to be estimated before the government decided on the issue.